#26 – 2B Alonzo Harris

Why Ranked Here: Harris earns this ranking on the basis of big-time athleticism and some pop from a little dude. The Mets were pleasantly surprised when Harris turned down scholarships from Big 12 football programs to begin his professional baseball career. He’s a burner with some bat speed and strength, who is still learning how to turn his gifts into consistent weapons. Looking for evidence of his speed: try 15 stolen bases and five triples. However, defensively, he has a long way to go. One Met official described his defense simply to me as “raw.” I asked a scout buddy who saw him in the Appy League if he agreed, and he chortled, before responding, “the whole game is raw.”

2009: Harris got off to a nice start for Kingsport, but was unconscious in July, hitting .306/.366/.541 with seven homers, including a run of a home in three straight games. His hacktastic ways were exposed in August when the Appy League’s hurlers held him to a .232/.275/.357. Throughout the season in the Appalachian, he terrorized lefties to a .358/390/.679 performance. Harris finished the year with six games at Savannah.

Dr. Pangloss Says: It’s really possible that Harris develops into a top-10 2B in baseball with his power and speed.

Debbie Downer Says: Or he continues to struggle defensively and swing at everything and never really even plays everyday in AA.